Monday, October 05, 2009

Apalachicola's Fantastic Fall Fishing


redfish

Richard Barton fished with Capt. Chris 9/22-9/24/09

The following fishing report was written by our very own Flats/Fly Fishing Guide, Capt. David Heinke on Tuesday Sept. 29:

Fishing Report: Now that the winds have stopped blowing from the East, we've finally found some fantastic fishing. From Sept 24 until yesterday, both trout and redfishing have been excellent. In Apalachicola Bay, all the nutrients from up north that have been washing down stream have done wonders for the bay. The benefits are now starting to show and all indications are for a superb fall fishery and bodes well for next year too.

Back to the fish, each day limits of reds and trout are almost easy. Each day we literally caught so many reds and trout, we stopped counting, but a conservative estimate would be 20-30 reds/day and at least a 100 trout! The reds have been running from 4lbs-12lbs but the bull red season is just around the corner and looking to be good. The trout are all excellent quality fish, haven't caught one under 16in and many are from 22-26in! Also in the bay are a good number of Black Drum, caught 3 on the 26th, each around 30lbs. Flounder are starting to pop back up in the mix and also the occasional school of Jack Crevalle. Off the beaches, massive schools of False Albacore (Bonita) have been reported from Apalach to Destin.

Because of the water coming downstream, clarity has been an issue--the fish don't mind, but blind casting is the successful method. However over in St Joe Bay, the water is very clear, the fishing above avg. On the 24th, I fished from Black's Island back to town and landed 16 redfish (6-8lbs) 6 of those on fly. All sight fished. Also in the mix were two 5lbs trout. For sight fishing St Joe is the way to go, but for just incredible overall "catching" Apalchicola would be hard to beat.

redfish

Richard's Girlfriend Marie!

Stripers should start to show next month and of course there is Dave's Secret Tarpon Fall Fishery that is about to start back up. In fact, hooked one just outside 10ft hole on Saturday. Wrong gear and the battle didn't last long, but a jumped Poon is a jumped Poon! That's all for now.

The weather is cooling and possibly one of the best autumns in recent history is about to happen!

Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
118 Commerce St.
Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896 or 877-6-REDFISH
www.FloridaRedfish.com

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